Communication within and

Between Neurons
Presented by: Ms. Maria Tanvir
Communication within a Neuron

 Membrane Potential: the electrical charge across a cell membrane; the difference in electrical potential
inside and outside the cell.
 Resting Potential: the membrane potential of a neuron when it is not being altered by excitatory or
inhibitory postsynaptic potentials; approximately -70mV in the giant squid axon.
 Depolarization: reduction (towards zero) of the membrane potential of a cell from its normal resting
potential.
 Hyperpolarization: an increase in the membrane potential of a cell, relative to the normal resting.
 Action potential: the brief electrical impulse that provides the basis for conduction of information along the
axon.
 Threshold of excitation: the value of the membrane potential that must be reached to produce an action
potential.
The Membrane Potential: Balance of Two
Forces

 The force of diffusion: movement of molecules from regions of high concentration to regions of low
concentration.
 The force of electrostatic pressure: the attractive force between the atomic particles charged with the
opposite signs of the repulsive force between atomic particles charged with the same sign.
 Ion: a charged molecule. Cations are positively charged, an anions are negatively charged.
Ions In The Extracellular And Intracellular
Fluids

 Intracellular fluid: the fluid contained within the cell.

 Extracellular fluid: bodily fluids located outside of cells.

 Four main ions:

1. Organic anions: A-
2. Chloride ions: Cl-
3. Sodium ions: Na+
4. Potassium ions: K+
Important Terms

 Voltage dependent ion channels: an ion channel that opens or closes according to the values of the
membrane potential.
 All-or-none law: the principle that once an action potential is triggered in an axon, it is propagated in an
axon, without decrement, to the end of the fiber.
 Rate law: the principle that variation in the intensity of a stimulus or other information being transmitted in
an axon are represented by variations in the rate at which that axon fires.
Communication Between Neurons
Important Terms

 Post-synaptic potential
 Binding site
 Ligand
 Dendritic spine
 Presynaptic membrane:
 Postsynaptic membrane
 Synaptic cleft
 Synaptic vesicles
 Release zone
 Postsynaptic receptor
 Neurotransmitter-dependant ion channels
 Ionotropic receptors
 Metabotropic receptors
Types of Synapses
Details of Synapse
Activation of Receptors

 Ionotropic receptors
 Metabotropic receptors
Ionotropic Receptors
Metabotropic Receptors

 Metabotropic receptors: a receptor that contains a binding site for a neurotransmitter activates an enzyme
that begins a series of events that opens an ion channel elsewhere in the membrane of the cell when a
molecule of the neurotransmitter attaches to the binding site.
 G protein: a protein coupled to a metabotropic receptor; conveys messages to other molecules when a
ligand binds with and activates the receptor.
 Second messenger: a chemical produced when a G protein activates an enzyme; carries a signal that results
in the opening of the ion channel or causes other events to occur in the cell.
Metabotropic Receptors
Metabotropic Receptors

Metabotropic Activates Second

G-Protein
Receptors messenger

Action potential Molecules of second

starts in post messenger activates
synaptic cell ion channels
Postsynaptic Potentials

 Excitatory postsynaptic potential: an excitatory depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane of a synapse

caused by the liberation of a neurotransmitter by the terminal button.
 Inhibitory postsynaptic potential: an inhibitory hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic membrane of a
synapse caused by the liberation of a neurotransmitter by the terminal button.
Termination of Postsynaptic Potentials

 Two mechanisms:
1. Reuptake: the reentry of neurotransmitters just liberated by a terminal button back through its membrane,
thus terminating the postsynaptic potential
2. Enzymatic deactivation: the destruction of neurotransmitter by an enzyme after its release. (only for
Acetylcholine (Ach).
 Ach: Neurotransmitter found in brain, spinal cord, and parts of PNS; responsible for muscular contractions.
 AChE (Acetylecholinestrase): the enzyme that destroys ACh soons after it is liberated by the terminal buttons, thus
terminal the postsynaptic potential.
 One molecule of AChE destroys apart more than 5000 molecules of ACh each second.
Effects of Postsynaptic Potentials: Neural
Integration

 Neural Integration: the process by which inhibitory and excitatory postsynaptic potentials summate and
control the rate of firing of a neuron.
Neural Integration
 Autoreceptors

Receptor molecule located on a neuron that responds to the

neurotransmitter released by that neuron.

Can be located at any part of the cell.

In most cases these autoreceptors do not control ion channels.
When stimulated by a molecule of neurotransmitter,
autoreceptors do not produce changes in the membrane
potential of terminal button.
Control internal processes, including the synthesis and
release of the neurotransmitters.
In most cases the effects of autoreceptor activation is
inhibitory.
Axoaxonic synapses

Axiodendritic
Causes postsynaptic excitation
or inhibition
Axosomatic

Does not contribute Activity of these synapses alters

Axoaxonic directly to neural the amount of neurotransmitter
integration released by the terminal buttons
of the postsynaptic axon
Axoaxonic synapses

If the activity of axoaxonic

synapse decreases the PRESYNAPTIC INHIBITION
release of neurotransmitter

If the activity of axoaxonic

synapse increases the PRESYNAPTIC FACILITATION
release of neurotransmitter
Nonsynaptic Communication:
Neuromodulators And Hormnes

 Neuromodulators: chemicals released by neuron cells that travel further and are depersed more widely than
neurotransmitters.
 Secreted in large amount and diffuse for longer distances, modulating the activity of many neurons in a particular part
of the brain.
 Effects general behavioral states; vigilance, fearfulness and sensitivity to pain.
 Mostly composed of proteins called peptides.
 Hormones: a chemical that is released by an endocrine gland and that has effects on target cells in other
organs.
 Endocrine glands: a gland that liberates its secretions into the extracellular fluid around capillaries and hence into the
bloodstream.
 Target cells: the type of the cell that contains receptors for a particular hormone and is effected by that hormone.
 Only these cells respond to the presence of hormones.
Any Questions???